CWS' vision is of a world where children are empowered with hope for a brighter future and realise their potential in a society that respects their rights and dignity.
CWS is committed to working in partnership with organisations supporting front line work with disadvantaged and vulnerable children, young people and their communities, transforming their lives and providing them with life opportunities and the confidence to succeed.
Our mission
Who we are
How it all started – Douglas’ Story
"I was 28 when I left the Netherlands and had a life-changing experience in the mountains of Nepal. A distraught mother, desperate for help, handed me her sick baby girl who was just one year old. The girl died in my arms. That was the moment that changed my life, and Child Welfare Scheme began.
I was determined to help, and asked the villagers what they needed most. They needed a safe place for children to play while they worked in the field and access to free, basic health care. Together we developed the concept of Day Care Health Centres in the villages, and built the first two centres with my own savings. The charity ‘Child Welfare Scheme’ was officially established in 1997, and has continued to develop projects based on empowering communities and implementing projects at a local level.
Every year just gets more exciting as we expand and improve on the year before. Today, we are one of the most effective organizations in Nepal, using a minimal amount of resources to reach a maximum number of children with high quality programmes and projects which are now highly recognized. Saving a child’s life can often cost next to nothing, especially when you think how lavishly we sometimes spend on a typical Friday night out.
I love my work as it’s very honest and to the point, but moreover, a great thing to share with others and to get them involved. We are not a high profile organization, but we are making a high profile difference to thousands of children and young people each year by changing or saving their lives.
Let’s keep on doing it together!
Cheers, and my heartfelt thanks.
Douglas Maclagan"
Douglas Maclagan
Douglas was the founding chairman of Child Welfare Scheme in 1997. Since then, he has raised well over 1 million pounds to create one of the most effective children’s charities in Nepal. He has established a network of CWS organizations (Nepal, United Kingdom, Hong Kong), which continues to grow and gain respect worldwide for its novel development achievements. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Child Welfare and Development, Douglas was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize in 2004 and the Unsung Heroes Award in 2008. He also won the World of Children Health Award in 2009, in the philanthropy industry this award holds the same prestige as that of the Nobel Prize. He was educated in England and The Netherlands and holds a degree in English and has two certificates in youth counseling and child psychology. He speaks 4 languages fluently of which one is Nepali. Today, he lives in Nepal where he continues to fight for the rights of disadvantaged children.
Gordon Oldham
Gordon is difficult to sum up but we’re going to give it a try. He is first and foremost an explorer; he is enthusiastic about new ventures and is never one to turn down an expedition. Gordon thrives off adrenalin and cannot sit still. He collects experiences and memories everywhere he goes and dedicates his time to his wife, son and grandchildren as well as his hotels and legal career. Despite all this, Gordon devotes much of himself to CWS. Over the years, he has run marathons across various terrains such as the Gobi Desert, the Sahara Desert and the Atacama Desert to raise funds for children in Nepal.
Zein Williams
Garrett Quigley
Garrett is originally from Ireland and is a qualified solicitor. He is a graduate of University College Dublin where he received a Master’s Degree in Economics. He lives in Hong Kong with his wife and three daughters. Garrett is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley where he works as a lawyer.